A Small Indulgence

Victor directly used administrative means to cool down the production at the Arms Factory, which was currently overloaded Arms Factory production tasks.

He planned to transfer some of the heavy weapons orders to the Machine Factory, which, given its manufacturing capabilities, could easily produce Bed Crossbow and Catapult.

Jimmy wouldn't have any objections to this, since he manages both factories.

However, the engineers from the Arms Factory were quite uneasy, feeling that their words and actions might have angered the lord.

However, Victor wouldn't do anything, since what those engineers said wasn't wrong.

There are indeed many problems with the current Internal Combustion Engine, and Veronica's team will continue to improve it.

However, Victor was indeed uncomfortable, after all, Veronica had put in a lot of effort to create the Internal Combustion Engine, and this could be considered a slight favoritism, a small act of arbitrariness of power.

After the engineers finished repairing the machine and the workshop in the Arms Factory resumed operation, Victor took Veronica and left.

After leaving the factory, Victor followed Veronica to the laboratory. After Veronica explained Victor's suggestions for improvement to the engineer, she came out to find Victor.

Victor was looking at the sky outside when Veronica jogged over. She was wearing a leather coat, her hair was tied in a high ponytail, and her face was red from the cold.

Victor watched Veronica run over and couldn't help but give her a thumbs up. Even with such a thick leather jacket, she didn't look bulky at all, and her ponytail swayed left and right, making her look really pretty.

Veronica ran to Victor's side and asked in a low voice.

"Isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to handle it this way? After all, our machines do have a lot of problems."

Those engineers have actually worked very well with us, but they only complained because the machine kept having problems.

"I hope Manager Jimmy won't punish them for this!"

Victor reached out and touched Veronica's head, stroking her hair as he slowly spoke, his little finger twirling the ends of her hair.

"Don't worry, Jimmy is one of my old subordinates. He understands me perfectly well. He won't do that."

"Won't your order cuts affect the civil Civil War next year?"

"No, actually these heavy weapons are not complicated to produce. The large metal parts are directly supplied by the Steelworks, and the Machine Factory can also make the other parts. It's a good opportunity to transfer the territory's orders to the Machine Factory."

We need to introduce competition in the future, otherwise, if only one factory produces, it will easily lead to inertia.

I know those engineers too; they were all craftsmen from the old Workshop.

When they were in the Golden Sunflower Territory, they were very diligent in their research, and they contributed a lot to the manufacture of the heavy plow.

These problems with the machines can actually be easily mastered through learning.

I'm very disappointed that things have turned out this way. I can only rely on your team of engineers!

I remember that the Internal Combustion Engine Number One at the Steelworks was maintained entirely by the Steelworks's own technical team.

It seems they've been living too comfortably lately. This is a good opportunity to give them a wake-up call!

"Alright, Veronica, you've assigned the tasks, haven't you?"

"Well, I estimate that the initial improvements to the belt will be completed next week. Next, I plan to go to the Steelworks to check on the situation there!"

Victor suddenly hugged Veronica, Veronica tried to push him away several times but couldn't. Blushing, she whispered, "There are other people around!"

"Those are all my guards. Besides, what's wrong with me embracing my own wife?"

"Are there problems at the Steelworks too?"

"No, I just wanted to check on how it was running."

"If there's no problem, then don't go. You should trust their technical team; they won't hide any issues from you if they can't handle them properly."

It's so cold now, you should go back to Wood Fort Town. If you want to work, you can work at the lab there.

Veronica was initially reluctant to return to Wood Fort Town, but after Victor reasoned with her, he finally persuaded Veronica to go back.

After a brief moment of tenderness, Victor left with his men.

He was on his way to Green Field Village to continue his inspection when suddenly it started snowing heavily.

Among Victor's guards was a local Barbarians warrior who said that, according to past practice, this heavy snow would last at least three or four days.

It's no longer suitable to continue the inspection. With such heavy snow, it's easy to encounter danger in the wild. I suggest Victor return to Wood Fort Town.

Victor trusted his soldiers and would never risk his own safety, so Victor simply called off the trip.

Victor went straight back to Riverside Village, and together with Veronica, who was still lingering in the laboratory, they returned to Wood Fort Town.

After returning to Wood Fort Town, the snow indeed fell even heavier.

Victor was more worried about the extreme weather brought by the heavy snow, which he feared would affect the survival of his people than about the suspension of the inspection.

He summoned Powell and asked him about the territory's preparedness for such extreme weather and whether supplies were adequate at the various settlements.

"Your Excellency, please rest assured that all settlements have stockpiled enough food and fuel for half a month, in order to cope with the supply disruptions caused by such extreme weather."

Can you guarantee that these supplies will be safe and sound?

"I personally inspected it before winter. If there are any problems, Your Excellency, please do as you see fit."

Powell's firm stance impressed Victor; he liked officials who could anticipate problems and take responsibility.

"Of course I trust you, Powell, but you still need to be careful. If there are any problems during this time, you can report directly to me."

Such extreme weather, if not handled properly, could have serious consequences. Extreme caution is necessary, and maintaining contact with each settlement is crucial.

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

Just as Powell was about to leave, Victor called him back.

"By the way, Powell, you already know about the Unrestricted Expansion Decree, right?"

"I know!

Your Excellency, this is truly wonderful news. When I first heard about it, I couldn't quite believe it, and several managers also asked me about it.

However, it was later confirmed by Lord Wembley that everyone was very happy, and the future of Two Rivers Territory was limitless.

"That's good. Powell, do you think the territory will have the capacity to begin expanding northward when the war begins next year?"

After listening to Victor's words, Powell immediately began to think.

"My lord, I think there is no problem, although the territory will spare a lot of young and strong laborers to participate in this war."

However, our territory has a young population and a sufficient labor force. I just calculated that, after deducting the labor force needed to maintain normal production, I can spare about 100 people.

The territory is well-supplied with resources. As long as supplies keep up, these people are enough to develop some important locations. At the very least, we can move further north along the Lime River and establish a few more settlements."

Victor nodded. Powell had provided a solution so quickly, which showed that he had indeed thought a lot about it and was very familiar with the various data about the territory.

"Powell, prepare to call a meeting. Since you say there are no problems, we can now start preparing for territorial expansion. Let's proceed with the war and expansion simultaneously starting next spring!"

"Yes, Your Excellency."